CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) — Local fitness studio owners joined forces to hold a “Sweat. Love. Local.” event this weekend to raise money for local fitness organization, Heart and Soul Fitness. 

Owners from Madabolic, Pure Barre, Hi-Low and Salute the Sun Yoga and other vendors welcomed the community for an hour-long workout session split up by each of the instructors. 

The ticket proceeds all went to Heart and Soul, a fitness studio helping people facing lower incomes still achieve their mind and body goals. Founder and Executive Director Nicole Hawker said it was a dream of hers to make group fitness more accessible. 

“It really came to me that I wanted to figure out how to marry physical fitness and emotional well-being,” Hawker said. 

Hawker said the proceeds will specifically go toward scholarships for members to apply for to receive financial assistance to participate at Heart and Soul Fitness.